The BankAmericard® credit card may not have all of the bells and whistles offered by more premium rewards cards, but it’s a great balance transfer credit card for those looking to pay down debt and a solid starter card for new borrowers. With a zero-interest intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for no annual fee, there’s a lot to like about this card — even if it doesn’t come with any rewards.
The BankAmericard was the first credit card I ever opened, and while it’s no longer the primary card I use, it’s still a great fit if you’re new to the world of credit and can’t qualify for more lucrative options or have accumulated credit card debt that you’re looking to pay off.
Here are just a few reasons the BankAmericard is worth considering.
1. There’s an exceptionally long 0% intro APR
One of the major draws of the BankAmericard is its zero-interest introductory offer. Cardholders can enjoy a 0 percent intro APR for 21 billing cycles on both purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the introductory period is over, the card charges a variable APR between 14.24 percent and 24.24 percent.
Transferring a balance to the BankAmericard can help you save on interest and pay down debt faster. Keep in mind, though, the card charges a balance transfer fee of 3 percent (minimum $10 applies), which is in line with the fees charged by other balance transfer cards. Further, keep in mind that balance transfers must be made in the first 60 days in order to qualify for the introductory rate.
2. There’s no annual fee
Another nice perk of the BankAmericard is that there’s no annual fee. This means that it can work with a wide variety of budgets, and you don’t have to worry about spending a certain amount in particular categories in order to make the card worthwhile. When I first opened the BankAmericard, I wasn’t sure I’d spend enough to justify a hefty annual fee, which made this card a great fit for my wallet.
3. You won’t be charged a penalty APR
The BankAmericard doesn’t charge a penalty APR, should you pay your bill late one month, unlike other cards in the landscape.
You will, though, be charged a late fee if you miss a payment due date. If avoiding these kinds of fees is important to you, you might consider our list of the best credit cards with no late fees.
4. It’s a good fit for new borrowers
The card doesn’t come with as many perks as more premium credit cards marketed to experienced borrowers with excellent credit (or even compared to other Bank of America credit cards). That said, its lack of an annual fee and zero-interest introductory offers make it an attractive option for borrowers who are just starting out, those who may not have had a credit card before and those looking to rebuild credit. In fact, this was the first credit card I opened straight out of college.
5. It comes with free FICO score access
Staying on top of your credit score is important to your overall financial health. Since your score can affect which financial products you qualify for — from auto or home loans, to credit cards and everything in between — it pays to ensure your credit score is as high as possible. The BankAmericard comes with free FICO credit score access, which makes it easy to keep tabs on your credit online or through the Bank of America mobile app.
6. It features educational resources
If you’re new to the world of credit, the BankAmericard offers a variety of free educational resources within your online account to help guide you along the way. This includes information about using credit cards responsibly, budgeting, personal finance and more.
What to consider when applying for the BankAmericard
The BankAmericard is a great option if you’re interested in transferring a balance from another card or have a large purchase on the horizon, as well as if you’re new to credit cards and looking for a simple, low-cost starter card. That said, there are a few things you should consider when applying for this card.
As noted above, the BankAmericard charges a balance transfer fee of 3 percent (with a minimum of $10), which can eat into the money you’ll save on interest, as well as a 3 percent foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
Further, keep in mind that this card doesn’t earn any rewards and is light on perks (you can read our BankAmericard benefits guide for a full list of card perks). If you have excellent credit and are an experienced borrower, you’ll likely be able to qualify for more lucrative cards. Of course, if paying off existing debt is your main priority, and you need as much time as you can get, the BankAmericard is one of the best balance transfer credit cards on the market.
The bottom line
The BankAmericard is a solid choice for a no-frills credit card, particularly if you’re just starting out or looking for a good balance transfer option. For more information on particular card offerings, be sure to read through our BankAmericard credit card review.
The Bank of America content was last updated Aug. 24, 2022.
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